Paris, March 22nd 2017, French defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced that he had authorized the development of the Rafale F4 standard.
The first Rafale F4 should be delivered in 2025 but some of the features of this new version will be available as early as 2023.

The key improvements would be the following:

Improved net-centric capabilities (New data links, satcom)

RBE-2 AESA upgrade

SPECTRA upgrade

OSF IRST (New IR channel for the OSF)

M88 engine upgrade (AB thrust > 8 T)

Mica NG missile integration

AASM missile upgrade

Le Drian also confirmed that a 5th production tranche should be ordered during the next LPM (Multi-year military procurement plan)